- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Mars Chocolate Site Achieves Prestigious LEED Gold Certification https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/50403?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/50403?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/50403?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Mars Chocolate Site Achieves Prestigious LEED Gold Certification&body=ESG News from Mars, Incorporated https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/50403?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Responsible Production & Consumption](/CSR-News/responsible-production-consumption-0)

 # Mars Chocolate Site Achieves Prestigious LEED Gold Certification

 


 

 Sep 25, 2014 9:00 AM ET

  Campaign:  ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/Mars.jpg) 

Mars Chocolate North America announced today that its new manufacturing facility in Topeka, Kan., has earned LEED Gold certification--an internationally accepted benchmark for designing, constructing, and operating green buildings--from the U.S. Green Building Council. The roughly 500,000-square-foot facility, which opened in March, produces M&M'S Brand Candies and SNICKERS Bars. This accolade represents an additional LEED Gold award for Mars, Incorporated, joining the Mars Chocolate North America corporate headquarters in Hackettstown, N.J., and Mars Petcare's pet food manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, Ark.

"We're proud that this state-of-the-art site engages cutting-edge environmental standards, setting an example for others to follow," said Bret Spangler, Site Director - Topeka, Mars Chocolate North America. "Mars is committed to putting our Principles into Action to drive leadership in sustainability. LEED Gold certification for the Topeka facility is another shining example of our ambitious goal to make our factories and offices 'Sustainable in a Generation.'" Kansas Governor Sam Brownback applauded the accomplishment. "Byworking toward, and achieving LEED Gold Status, Mars Topeka continues to demonstrate its commitment to its workers and our community," said Governor Brownback. "This is a tremendous achievement and I congratulate them."

To meet the precise requirements to become LEED Gold certified, the Topeka site includes several sustainable systems and features, such as: 100 percent renewable electricity, state-of-the art heat recovery systems, rain water harvesting for sewage transfer in the office area and for landscape irrigation, low-flow water fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, reusing and recycling building materials, use of native grasses without irrigation, and the use of low-emitting local and regional materials.

**To read the full article click here: [http://www.manufacturing.net/news/2014/09/mars-chocolate-site-achieves-prestigious-leed-gold-certification ](http://www.manufacturing.net/news/2014/09/mars-chocolate-site-achieves-prestigious-leed-gold-certification)**



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Mars_Tagline_lockup_ENG_RGB_Blue.png)](/profiles/mars-incorporated)

 



 

### More from Mars, Incorporated

###### [The Women of Mars: Life Is Sweet for Lisa Saxon Reed and the Sensory Team](/news/women-mars-life-sweet-lisa-saxon-reed-and-sensory-team)

 Feb 11, 2020 7:00 PM ET

  



###### [Mars Looks Ahead: Which Trends Will Shape 2020?](/news/mars-looks-ahead-which-trends-will-shape-2020)

 Feb 10, 2020 6:00 PM ET

  



###### [Mars CEO Joins Global Business Leaders Supporting Paris Agreement](/news/mars-ceo-joins-global-business-leaders-supporting-paris-agreement)

 Dec 11, 2019 3:30 PM ET

  



###### [Empowering Women and Boosting Environmental Sustainability](/news/empowering-women-and-boosting-environmental-sustainability)

 Nov 25, 2019 5:30 PM ET

  



###### [Four Reasons Food Safety Is Not Just for World Food Day](/news/four-reasons-food-safety-not-just-world-food-day)

 Oct 23, 2019 5:05 PM ET

  



###### [This World Food Day, We Must All Take Action to Achieve Zero Hunger](/news/world-food-day-we-must-all-take-action-achieve-zero-hunger)

 Oct 16, 2019 7:30 PM ET

  



###### [Mars Ranks in Top 25 World’s Best Workplaces for Eighth Consecutive Year](/news/mars-ranks-top-25-worlds-best-workplaces-eighth-consecutive-year)

 Oct 15, 2019 2:30 PM ET

  



###### [Mars Accelerates Action to Tackle Climate Change With New #PledgeForPlanet Initiative](/news/mars-accelerates-action-tackle-climate-change-new-pledgeforplanet-initiative)

 Sep 26, 2019 11:45 AM ET